Chapter 31: The Unwanted Visitor (3)

“I’m risking my life to protect this orc.”

“No need to go that far. Your safety is what matters most.”

“Understood!”

Yuri gave him a firm smile and then walked away with the other two knights.

Little by little, the sounds of explosions and clashing weapons began to fade.

“Let’s hurry.”

As they walked, Guinness and Dyke’s expressions grew strange. Perhaps it was due to the attention Simon had received. It seemed like the two were feeling jealous and competitive.

Yuri clicked his tongue.

Were grown men really acting like this over an eighteen-year-old?

Still, he didn’t want to blame them. They were risking their lives on the battlefield, so perhaps they needed to feel it all had meaning.

Then Yuri spoke.

“You two.”

Both looked at him with expectant faces. But Yuri wasn’t so foolish as to praise them the same way he had Simon.

Every person needed a different approach, one suited to their nature.

Yuri spoke sharply.

“Already exhausted? Panting? You think this is a training ground?”

“U-uh…”

“In any case…”

Their faces immediately darkened. Just as their steps began to drag—

“Here.”

Yuri suddenly stopped and handed them a pouch from his belt. It was a canteen filled with water.

They looked at him. Yuri spoke without looking directly at them.

“It’s not like I care about you or anything.”

Someone like Simon, who had been marginalized, needed to be treated like a “kind older brother.”

But for these young men who already had everything, he had to be the kind of man they’d aspire to.

They stared at him in astonishment, then took the water pouch after a brief hesitation.

“T-thanks.”

“Hmph. Don’t mention it. I’m only giving it because there’s extra.”

“Understood…”

“I care a little, that’s all.”

“Huh?”

He didn’t say he didn’t care—just “a little.” Something sparkled in their eyes.

Once they finished drinking, Yuri smacked them both on the back. One of them choked and coughed.

“If you’re feeling better, then move!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Kh—got it!”

Yuri rushed to the nearest point. Three knights were engaged with an orc.

He jumped straight into the fight and swung his sword.

The orc, startled, stepped back.

“What are you doing? Get over here already!”

“Yes!”

“Let’s corner him!”

Guinness and Dyke quickly joined in. Six knights surrounded the orc. Unable to resist, the orc was beaten to pieces.

“Numbers win. A good beating is the answer. Everyone, follow me!”

“Yes!”

Thus, Yuri led the knights, eliminating orcs one by one. There were occasional explosions, but thanks to the fireproof cannons, the damage was minimal.

“Huff…”

Yuri wiped the sweat from his forehead. The outcome was satisfying.

Without the fireproof cannons and without prepping the squad, the provisions and supplies meant for Valshard would have been reduced to ashes.

“Dispose of the dead and bring the survivors to my tent.”

“Understood.”

Holding his sore shoulder, Yuri returned to his tent. There, Hernand was warming himself by the fire. When he saw Yuri, he waved.

“Handled everything?”

“Of course.”

“Are you injured?”

“My shoulder.”

“Come here.”

Healing magic flowed from Hernand’s hand.

“The shoulder is prone to injury. You should take better care of it. Do you do rotator cuff exercises?”

“An orc hit me just now.”

“What… you’re letting yourself get hit?”

“This brat…”

“There.”

When Hernand pulled his hand away, Yuri rotated his shoulder. The pain vanished completely, as if it had never been there. He was better than most average priests.

“Where’s Cory?”

“I sent him on an errand. Ah, here he comes.”

Cory came running clumsily, carrying something.

“Sir Hernand, I brought it.”

“Good job.”

It was a large wooden chair, with beast heads carved into the back and armrests, covered in dark leather—like a makeshift throne fit for a bandit chief trying to look important.

“Every commander must exude presence.”

Cory placed the chair behind Yuri.

“Where did you get this?”

“I didn’t get it; I asked a soldier who’s a carpenter to make it.”

“Wow, seriously…”

Yuri sat down immediately.

“Well done.”

“Hehehe…”

The high back supported all of Yuri’s weight. The feel of the leather molding to his back wasn’t bad. Yuri placed his arms on the armrests and waited calmly.

Soon, the orcs began to be dragged in.

Some were conscious and resisted, but quieted down once the knights beat them.

The young men who couldn’t even move before an orc back at Heime’s castle had matured quite a bit.

Yuri smiled, satisfied.

He ordered Orcbal to be brought in last.

“Make them kneel one by one.”

“Yes, sir!”

An orc was shoved down in front of Yuri. Surrounded by knights, the orc sat before the fire, growling at him.

“Cory, translate what I say.”

“Yes.”

“Who gave the order for the night raid?”

Cory spoke in orcish.

The fallen orc’s gaze locked onto Cory, and his face soon twisted with rage. The orc roared in a harsh voice.

Cory trembled.

“What did he say?”

“That…”

“A threat, right?”

It was obvious. He was likely threatening Cory, a half-orc who understood their language.

Yuri rose from his seat.

“Prince?”

Raymond, standing beside him, called out. But Yuri didn’t answer and walked straight toward the orc.

He had no intention of dragging this out. Torturing a regular orc was just a way to plant fear in Okua.

“What should I say, then…?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

The orc who had threatened Cory had long hair. Yuri grabbed him by it.

Then he shoved the orc’s face directly into the fire.

A chilling scream echoed through the air. Yuri didn’t let go until the orc’s face began to melt.

When the orc struggled to resist, Yuri dislocated both of his shoulders.

“Kuaar!”

With his mouth open, the flames rushed in. His screams were swallowed by the fire. His throat must have burned, because he started convulsing and soon went limp.

Yuri tossed him to the ground.

He wasn’t completely dead. Though his face was utterly deformed, his heart still beat.

“Take him away.”

Yuri motioned with his chin. When the knights hesitated, Jared stepped forward and dragged the orc away.

“Next.”

Yuri pointed at the rest of the group and returned to his seat. Silence fell over the area.

That chair, which moments before had looked ridiculous, now felt terrifying. Even the knights were tense after the sudden brutality.

Another orc was thrown in front of Yuri.

“Cory. Ask him the same thing as before.”

“Y-yes.”

Cory repeated the question. But this orc didn’t respond with insults like the last one.

He just clenched his teeth and glared with hatred. Yuri stood up again. The orc finally tried to speak.

“P-Prince, this orc says…”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Yuri waved his hand and Cory fell silent.

“These guys get one chance.”

Yuri felt no sympathy for them. Orcs weren’t simply a different race with a different culture; they were a threat that corrupted the world.

When Yuri stepped closer, the orc dragged his broken leg and lunged at him. Yuri swung his sword and severed the orc’s wrist.

The severed hand flew through the air. Then Yuri kicked him hard into the fire.

The orc’s body caught flame. He writhed as ash and sparks flew.

Yuri pulled a dagger from his belt and plunged it into the orc’s body. It was one of the four-element swords Guillermo had brought—the crystal sword with water’s power.

The watery energy protected both Yuri’s and the orc’s hands. The flames consuming the orc were extinguished, and thick steam enveloped them.

Yuri pulled the orc from the fire.

He was completely burned, his skin oozing fluids.

“Ugh, disgusting.”

Yuri dragged him and threw him next to the first orc. Both lay half-dead, crawling across the ground.

“Next.”

Yuri sat again. The atmosphere was heavier than ever.

Amid the silence among the knights around him, another orc was forced to kneel.

Yuri signaled with his hand. Cory repeated the same question. The orc answered.

“He says he doesn’t know.”

“He doesn’t?”

“Yes. Should I ask for more details?”

Yuri counted the remaining prisoners. Including Orcbal, there were two.

“Jared.”

“Yes.”

“You handle this one.”

“Understood.”

Jared caught Yuri’s intent and stepped directly up to the orc. The orc, resigned, lowered his head in supplication. But he met the same fate as the others—face shoved into the fire, half-melted, and tossed to the ground.

Yuri rested his chin on his hand.

“Alright, the next one better speak quickly and clearly.”

The next orc spoke immediately. Cory frowned and listened closely.

“What’s he saying?”

“He says he doesn’t know anything. That Orcbal is the one who knows the mission. He begs us to spare him. He was just following Orcbal’s orders and says to interrogate him instead.”

“Impressive effort.”

That orc was left standing unharmed off to the side. Finally, Orcbal was brought forward.

Cory looked to Yuri. This time, Yuri changed the question.

“Was it Okua who gave the order?”

Cory asked the orc leader. At that name, Orcbal’s eyes widened with a sharp gleam.

But he didn’t answer immediately. He seemed deep in thought.

“Tell him to answer.”

“He says if he answers, will we let him live?”

“Tell him yes.”

“He says he doesn’t trust us.”

“Then he’ll die.”

“He says he has valuable information. He’ll tell us everything if we give him a sign that we’ll spare him.”

“What a pain—he’s going to die anyway.”

Yuri muttered. Cory didn’t translate that part.

“What kind of proof?”

“He says humans value oaths, so he wants one.”

“An oath…?”

Orcbal spoke again. Cory translated.

“He says to swear in front of his subordinates.”

Yuri couldn’t help but laugh. Had he learned human culture by fighting them? He knew how to navigate it well. Even as an enemy, a commander who breaks his word loses all credibility.

“Fine.”

Yuri nodded and stood up.

“Let’s do it.”

With Cory between them, Yuri and the orc exchanged oaths. The agreement was not to harm one another. In exchange, Orcbal would answer all questions.

Orcbal insisted.

“If either side attacks, the oath is broken, and their honor is ruined,” he says.

“Talking about honor… and he’s an orc.”

Yuri was annoyed that an orc dared use that word. From his mercenary experience, Yuri knew orcs understood neither honor nor duty.

“Do it.”

With the deal sealed, Yuri began the interrogation.

“Was it Okua’s order?”

“Yes. Specifically, this orc’s clan chief sent him on Okua’s direct command.”

“How did they know about the allied army?”

“Okua has ways of gathering information. This orc doesn’t know how.”

“Do all the orcs of the plains follow Okua?”

“The major clans have already been unified, and the rest will follow. His power is still growing.”

The orc didn’t know much. It only confirmed what Yuri already suspected.

After a few more questions, Yuri decided to end the conversation.

“So the orcs were preparing for war.”

“Yes. Even if the humans hadn’t come, there would have been war anyway.”

He hadn’t expected detailed intelligence. Knowing the kind of enemy the Alliance faced was enough.

“He says that’s all he knows. That even as an Orcbal, his rank is low, so he wasn’t told much.”

“Tell him he did well.”

Cory relayed the message. The orc leader frowned.

“He asks if he can go now.”

“Mmm…”

Yuri looked around. The knights now understood who they would be facing.

Okua.

A monstrous being. By the time of his death, his name ranked among the ten strongest on the continent.

“Any questions?”

Yuri addressed his knights. Everyone remained silent until one finally raised a hand.

“How strong is Okua?”

Good question. Yuri nodded, and Cory asked. Orcbal burst out laughing.

“He says…”

His earlier cautious demeanor was gone.

“He says not even dozens of orcs like him could defeat Okua. And that without a doubt, he’s stronger than any being in this world.”

The air grew tense.

Yuri nodded again.

“Tell him he can go.”

“Yes.”

“And if he wants to take the other orcs with him, he can.”

“He says he doesn’t need them.”

Orcbal stood up straight and, after glancing at the knights, smiled and walked out of the camp.

He walked like a victor, not a defeated foe.

“Are you really going to let him go?”

Jared asked. Yuri nodded.

“We made an oath.”

“Still…”

“I’m the prince of Briol. I don’t break my promises.”

Then he pulled something from his pocket and showed it briefly.

Jared’s eyes widened, then he let out a low chuckle.

“I see.”

“Exactly.”

It was the necklace with the red gem they had taken from some bandits.

It could drive an orc mad and send them into a frenzy. For now, its power was sealed.

Hernand had modified it so it could be activated with mana in an emergency.

Yuri infused it with mana. The gem’s energy flared to life. Orcbal, walking calmly, suddenly froze.

“Hey, Orcbal!”

Yuri called out.

“Safe travels!”

He waved.

Orcbal turned.

His pupils turned a deep, glowing red.

“Grrrr…”

His face twisted. The area where his nose had been twitched uncontrollably, and he opened and closed his mouth repeatedly.

“Works perfectly.”

He looked as though he was struggling against the madness taking over. But he couldn’t fight his instincts.

Orcbal let out a fierce roar. The knights, alarmed, raised their weapons. Orcbal charged at Yuri like a mad beast.

“Stop him!”

Yuri didn’t even need to act. The camp’s knights all launched at him at once.

Though powerful, he couldn’t take on all of them.

Soon, Orcbal was stabbed from all sides. He collapsed, bleeding heavily. Even then, he stared at Yuri with glowing red eyes, to the very end.

“Finish him.”

Yuri ordered.

Laurent, standing beside him, drew his sword and struck without hesitation.

Orcbal’s head hit the ground, rolled, and stopped right at Yuri’s feet.

Yuri picked it up by the ears.

Even in death, his eyes remained wide open with ferocity.

The madness that had consumed him still lingered in his pupils.

“Mount it on a pike and display it.”